From the Blog: Get back on track with routine vaccinations, and stay ahead of cold and flu season

August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) and an important reminder to make sure you are up-to-date on your vaccinations.

While summer temperatures are starting their decline, respiratory viruses continue to rise at unprecedented rates as we head into fall. For that reason, pneumonia vaccines are highly recommended for the following age groups based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Younger than 2 years old: Four shots (2 months, 4 months, 6 months, and a booster between 12 and 15 months)
• 65 years old or older: Two shots
• Between 2 and 64 years old: Between one and three shots if you have certain immune system disorders or are a smoker

Pneumococcal vaccines (also known as PCV and PPSV), can prevent pneumococcal disease, which refers to any illness caused by pneumococcal bacteria. Most people think of pneumonia when they hear pneumococcal bacteria, but that is just one of many types of illnesses that the bacteria can cause.

In addition to pneumonia, pneumococcal bacteria also can lead to:

• Ear infections
• Sinus infections
• Meningitis
• Bacteremia, or infection of the blood

For more information about the importance of the vaccine, please view these CDC fact sheets:
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine
Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine

As a reminder, it’s always best to speak with your family doctor or healthcare provider to ensure you are receiving the appropriate vaccines for your age group and particular disease state.